New Zealand: Three charged with corruption and bribery

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has laid charges against three individuals in relation to allegations of bribery worth more than $1 million involving previous employees of Auckland Transport and Rodney District Council.

Stephen James Borlase (50), Barrie Kenneth James George (68) and one other, have made their first appearance in the North Shore District Court to face Crimes Act charges of corruption and bribery of an official.

The SFO is alleging that Mr George and an associate, while in various engineering and management roles either at Auckland Transport or Rodney District Council, received undisclosed payments or gratuities from Mr Borlase, the director of a supplier to Auckland Transport and Rodney District Council, Projenz Ltd. The gratuities often came in the form of cash, travel, accommodation and entertainment.